The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is characterized by rapid economic growth, rich biodiversity, and a strong reliance on agriculture for livelihoods. Agriculture remains the backbone of the GMS economies, employing a large portion of the population and contributing substantially to the national Gross Domestic Product especially in less industrialized countries.
Photo credit: Travel and Tour World
In a significant move to enhance their cultural and tourism cooperation, Viet Nam and Laos held a series of discussions this week to solidify their partnership.
Photo credit: Tourism of Cambodia
Cambodia’s tourism sector earned $3.63 billion in 2024, up 17.8 percent from $3.08 billion a year earlier, according to a report from the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) released on January 31.
Viet Nam is set to begin construction of a new 417-kilometer railway line connecting the northern port city of Haiphong to Kunming, People’s Republic of China (PRC), via Hanoi and Lao Cai Province. The initiative, with an estimated investment of about US$11 billion, aims to bolster trade and tourism between the two countries by enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother transportation of goods and people.
The fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge spanning the Mekong River, connecting Borikhamxay province in Lao PDR with Bueng Kan province in Thailand, is now 96% complete. Its official opening is being planned for May 2025, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The new bridge will facilitate easier travel and trade between the two countries, as well as strengthen connections within the Greater Mekong Subregion, particularly benefiting businesses engaged in trade between Thailand and Viet Nam.
Photo credit: Bank of Lao PDR
On 9 January, Laos and Viet Nam officially launched a cross-currency transaction service, connecting their cross-border retail payment systems via QR codes.
Photo credit: People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Great efforts have been made by the general border inspection station in Guangxi to promote the high-quality development of Guangxi and maintain border security and stability in 2024, officials announced during the Jan 8 press conference.
Regional health cooperation is a priority for the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and an integral part of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030. It utilizes the subregion's expertise in health leadership, human resource capabilities, and programmatic experience to tackle their shared health issues and cross-border challenges
Photo credit: Bangkok Post
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has targeted four niche markets for next year: wellness, luxury experience, sports tourism and honeymoons.
Photo credit: Vietnam News Agency
Authorities of the northern border province of Lang Son and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China held an online signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a pilot smart border gate.
Greater Mekong Subregion Secretariat
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Address: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8632 4444 Fax: +63 2 8636 2226